Chrysanthius

Chrysanthios of Sardis (c. 310; † around 390 in Sardis ) was a late ancient philosopher ( neo-Platonists ). He was one of the teachers of the Emperor Julian.

Swell

The main source is the biography of Chrysanthios who wrote his pupils Eunapius of Sardis. It concludes by Eunapius ' writing biographies of philosophers and sophists. Eunapius characterized in this work a vivid, detailed picture of the personality and mindset of his teacher. The Suda contains pieces of text on Chrysanthios that originate from the lost chronicle of Eunapius. Of the numerous works that should have Chrysanthios written (some even in old age ), nothing remains today.

Life

Chrysanthios came from a very distinguished family of his native city of Sardis in Asia Minor. His grandfather was Innocentius emerged as an influential legal writers. Chrysanthios lost his father early. He went to Pergamon, where he became a pupil of the renowned Neo-Platonic philosophers Aidesios. Aidesios was a pupil of the famous Neoplatonist Iamblichus and had opened his own school after his death. Among the classmates of Chrysanthios in Pergamon were the philosopher Maximus of Ephesus, Eusebius of Myndos and Priscus. In addition to the teachings of Plato and Aristotle, which were interpreted in Neoplatonic sense, were also religious practices ( theurgy ) curriculum. Furthermore Chrysanthios also studied rhetoric.

In the year 351 the later Emperor Julian Aidesios sought after whose fame he had heard. First, Julian took lessons at the already elderly Aidesios part and was excited, but later transferred Aidesios because of his advanced age, the task to instruct Julian, his students Chrysanthios and Eusebius; Maximos was then staying in Ephesus on, Priscus in Greece. So was this teacher Chrysanthios prominent philosophy student. After some time, Julian went to Ephesus, to study conducting with Maximos his education. At the request of Maximos Chrysanthios moved to Ephesus, to remain available for Julian as a teacher. The study of the Neo-Platonic religious philosophy laid the ideological foundation for Julians turning away from Christianity, which took place in those years; nominally he was still a Christian.

After his accession to power of wanted Julian, who was now looking to the renewal of the old religion on Neoplatonic basis, have his former teacher in his environment. He took Maximus to his court; Chrysanthios however, declined the invitation of the Emperor. He did not change his mind, but remained in his home city of Sardis, where he gave lessons. Julian appointed him to the high priest ( archiereús ) of the province of Lydia, whose capital was Sardis, and authorized him to appoint the local priest. From those associated with this office of attorney Chrysantios made ​​only cautious and discreet use because he did not want to provoke the Christians, because he appreciated the balance of power a realistic and reckoned that the Christians would eventually prevail again.

Chrysanthios had with his wife Melita a son, to whom he gave the name of his teacher Aidesios. His student and biographer Eunapius, who was a cousin Melites, Chrysanthios ' and Melites boasts philosophical attitude in the face of the early death of her gifted son, who died at the age of about twenty years. Eunapius, who had been trained since childhood by Chrysanthios, remained until the death of his friend and teacher in the area. The most famous student of Chrysanthios were Beronikianos of Sardis and Epigonos of Sparta, who continued the teaching in Sardis after his death.

Eunapius praised the skills and virtues of Chrysanthios that corresponded to the traditional ideal of a philosopher. These included a simple lifestyle, modest appearance, affability, prudence and serenity, a frank, straightforward attitude, skill in philosophical discussion and an excellent education. Also, refer to the words of Eunapius that Chrysanthios shared the dislike of Priscus against philosophical controversies.

Source output

• Giuseppe Giangrande (ed.): Eunapii vitae sophistarum. Istituto Poligrafico dello Stato, Rome 1956